Better Than I Thought It Would Be

Rating: 7/10 (24 March 2005)

I stumbled into this film while watching IFC a few months ago. To my surprised, I became glued to the television. "The Legend Of 1900," which is the title that it was given when released in the US, is about a infant found on a ship in 1900. As his friend Max (Pruitt Taylor Vince)tells his story in a series of flashbacks, we discover that 1900 spent his entire existence on the ship, being raised by Danny (Bill Nunn). 1900 (The underrated Tim Roth)is also a very good piano player, his music inspired by what he sees and feels. Yet for all his talent, he never leaves the ship. We soon find out that the ship is soon to be blown to bits. Max thinks that 1900 may still be on the ship.
This is a great film, and the music is pretty cool. The 2 best parts of the film is the piano duel between 1900 and Jelly Roll Morton (Clarence Williams III). Watching their fingers fly on the ivories is hypnotic! Also when Max and 1900 play the piano during the storm, the piano cruises around the halls of the ship, leaving you feeling like you're on a roller-coaster.
The saddest part is when Max does find 1900 and he explains why he has never left the ship. Part of me could understand his hesitation to leave: His world was the ship, the only place he had ever known and loved. You know that he will die when the ship blows, but his reasons actually sound sane.
Worth checking out.